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Rhode Island Parental Notification Law Blocked by Judge
Table of Contents
Published: July 3, 2024
A federal judge in Rhode Island has temporarily blocked the state from enforcing a new law requiring schools to notify parents if a student requests to change their name or pronouns. The law, signed by Governor Dan McKee in June, sparked immediate controversy and a legal challenge from civil rights groups.
Concerns Raised by LGBTQ+ Advocates
The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island (ACLU RI) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) filed the lawsuit on behalf of several students and families. They assert that the law violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantees of equal protection and due process, as well as students’ rights to privacy. The legal challenge specifically highlights the potential for increased discrimination and harm to transgender and gender-nonconforming youth.
“This law sends a dangerous message to transgender and nonbinary students that their identities are not respected and that their schools are not safe places,” said John Doe,a staff attorney with ACLU RI,in a statement. “We are relieved that the court has recognized the serious harm this law could cause and has temporarily blocked its enforcement.”
State Officials Respond
State officials have indicated they will vigorously defend the law in court. They maintain that the parental notification requirement is a reasonable measure to ensure parents are involved in their children’s education and well-being. The state Attorney General’s office released a brief statement acknowledging the judge’s order and stating that they are reviewing the decision.
The Law’s Provisions and Implementation
The law, signed into law by Governor Dan McKee in June, would have required schools to notify parents within 30 days if a student requests to change their name or pronouns. It also would have allowed parents to sue the school
